Nahid Islam, convener of the National Citizens’ Party (NCP), has refuted claims that foreign or domestic forces influenced the proposal to appoint Professor Muhammad Yunus as the head of the interim government.
He made the statement on Sunday while testifying at the International Crimes Tribunal-1.
Islam was examined as the 47th witness in a case against three accused, including fugitive former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and former Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan, related to alleged crimes against humanity during the July mass uprising.
Former Police Inspector General (IGP) Chowdhury Abdullah Al-Mamun, another accused in the case, has pleaded guilty and appeared in court as an approver.
During cross-examination by state-appointed lawyer Md. Amir Hossain on behalf of Sheikh Hasina and Asaduzzaman Khan, Islam clarified that the claims about foreign or domestic intervention in the proposal for Professor Yunus were false.
“It is not true that the suggestion to appoint Professor Yunus as interim government chief was driven by domestic or foreign forces,” he said.
Islam also denied that the August 3 government change was part of a long-planned scheme or that it was influenced by foreign powers. He further refuted assertions that Sheikh Hasina did not resign on August 5 or that she was forced to flee to India.
Earlier, Islam had stated that, as a preparatory measure, discussions were held with Professor Yunus about forming a new government, and he was proposed to lead the interim administration before the fall of the Sheikh Hasina-led Awami League government on August 5 last year.
Sheikh Hasina subsequently fled to India, and Professor Yunus returned from France on August 8 to head the interim government.
